The main draw in Leon for adrenalin junkies is Volcano Boarding down the Cerro Negro. That’s right, Volcano Boarding down an active Volcano. For anyone who doesn’t see how epic this is, here’s the story of a guy who broke the world speed record on the exact same volcano (in a latex suit - sexy!).
So…being the daredevil that I am, and constantly on the lookout to test my boundaries and push my adrenalin levels…not, I got myself pumped up to give it a go. Most backpackers book through Bigfoot Hostel, but most hostels will offer the activity.
So…being the daredevil that I am, and constantly on the lookout to test my boundaries and push my adrenalin levels…not, I got myself pumped up to give it a go. Most backpackers book through Bigfoot Hostel, but most hostels will offer the activity.
Cerro Negro is one of the youngest volcanoes in Central America, formed in 1850, and is one of the most active. Unique in its spouting ash rather than lava, the recent eruptions of ’92, ’95 and ’99 meant there was a perfect surface of ash to board down. It also meant that another eruption was long overdue… hence my panic levels rising. Luckily, I teamed up with a group of gals from the hostel and we all bonded over our mutual reservations. A problem shared is a problem solved and all that.
I was feeling pretty sick, having discovered yellow fur on my tonsils that morning, which in hindsight kinda helped me out. It meant the guide helped me carry my board up the volcano, a pretty treacherous trek over loose volcanic rock, approximately 1000 vertical ft to the top. Also, my fuzzy head made me think about it less and enjoy it more. After the hike up, and several stops to recuperate and enjoy the mind blowing scenery, we donned our sexual boiler suits, goggles and gloves and were ready for action.
I was feeling pretty sick, having discovered yellow fur on my tonsils that morning, which in hindsight kinda helped me out. It meant the guide helped me carry my board up the volcano, a pretty treacherous trek over loose volcanic rock, approximately 1000 vertical ft to the top. Also, my fuzzy head made me think about it less and enjoy it more. After the hike up, and several stops to recuperate and enjoy the mind blowing scenery, we donned our sexual boiler suits, goggles and gloves and were ready for action.
Maximum speeds of up to 85mph have been clocked boarding down this volcano, however most of us opted to control our speed by digging our heels into the ash. We’d seen far too many backpackers walking around town with grazes and burns from touching the ground on their way down, or digging their heels in too strong and flying out of control. The problem with keeping a constant speed is the ash gets kicked up into your face and you turn up at the bottom literally chewing volcanic rock.
I don’t know how fast I went but the way down was freakin’ intense! Every so often I’d pick my feet up and dig them back in again just as I felt the board begin to lose control. It was exhilarating flying down the crazy steep slope, looking from the top like it dropped away into nothingness. It was all over way too fast, and I’d have loved to do it over and over. They should really put some kind of volcano escalator up there - that would be ace!
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